Front Row: Summer stage schedule filled with surprises

This week's column started out as a simple overview of area theater productions audiences can look forward to this summer. However, something unexpected occurred.

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, PLT will not be able to bring 'Annie' to Pensacola this summer," Executive Director Meg Peltier said. "The business of show business doesn't always favor a nonprofit community theater. We are in the process of finding a replacement show that everyone will enjoy this summer. All of us at PLT are very disappointed, but when the announcement was made at the final auditions, the director, production team, parents and kids auditioning all held hands together and sang the words from Annie's theme song — 'the sun will come out tomorrow…!'

"Theater people are used to setbacks and disappointments, but we are made up of something very special — a profound love, passion and dedication to what we do. Check out our Facebook page and website at www.pensacola littletheatre.com for updates. We appreciate everyone's understanding and support."

Here's a look at the rest of the line-up, including commentary from each director:

• The Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Company presents "The Taming of the Shrew": "It has been said that 'anti-social behavior is a trait of intelligence in a world full of conformists,' and the shrew at the heart of our story is surely an example of this," Director Michelle Hancock said. "In full revolt against her world of Victorian social mores, it will take a fellow as fiery as she to tempt and tame Katherina Minola's heart. Luckily, time-traveling Petruchio has just appeared in Padua. We have assembled a cast that includes veterans plus several teens for whom this is their first play."

• PLT Acorn Productions presents "Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective": " 'Nick Tickle' is a fun, highly interactive show where kids of all ages will help Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective, solve a crime," Director Debi Kuhn said. "Goldilocks has been framed for the theft of various fairy tale props, and it's up to the audience to help Nick solve the crime."

• Panhandle Community Theatre presents "Soulmate Central":"In the dating service world known as 'SoulMate Central,' the motto is 'It's never too late to meet your soulmate,' " Director Joe Perna said. "However, be afraid, be very afraid, for you don't know what you're getting into. It's a world where people are never who they appear to be."

• Pensacola State College Summer High School Onstage Workshop presents "Big: The Musical": "If you could combine Disney's 'Toy Story' with the movie 'Big,' you get an idea of what we will be doing this summer," Director Rodney Whatley said. " 'Big: The Musical' is set in a toy company, so we are going to transform the auditorium into the absolute heaven of toy stores. It's going to be so much fun onstage that audiences won't want to leave the theatre. The sheer level of fun and fantasy in this production is enough to make all of the world's problems disappear."